Six-sided box construction



Aug. 25,1970 H. E. ROBINSON SIX-SIDED BOX CONSTRUCTION 3 Shets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 30, 1968 IN V5 70/? HERMAN 1 R08l/V50A/ M/%&

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S IX- SIDED BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 50, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNl/EN7' v HERMAN 6'. ROE/N30 1970 H. E. ROBINSON 3,525,466

SIX-SIDED BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 30, 1968 S Sheets-Sheet 5 //V VEIV 7' OR HERMAN ROBINSON A TTOR/VEYS; I

United States Patent 3,525,466 SIX-SIDED BOX CONSTRUCTION Herman E.Robinson, Wynnewood, Pa., assignor to Boas Box Company, Ardmore, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.723,709,

Apr. 24, 1968. This application Oct. 30, 1968, Ser.

US. Cl. 229-39 Int. Cl. B65d /10 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.723,709, filed Apr. 24, 1968, now abandoned. This invention relates to asix-sided box construction, and more particularly, to a six-sided boxconstruction comprising a tubular body portion and a collapse-resistantend closure.

Many-sided boxes are frequently used in packaging large, bulky objects,such as hats. The cross-sectional shape of such boxes more closelyapproaches the shape of the contents than does the square or rectangularcross section characteristic of conventional four-sided boxes.Previously proposed constructions for boxes having more than four sideshave frequently required the fabrication of several pieces to providethe necessary body portion and end closures, with attendant high cost.On the other hand, when attempts have been made to. fabricate such boxesfrom single-piece blanks, the result has frequently been a frail, easilycollapsed product, or a box which is uneconomical due to difiiculty ofassembly.

One six-sided box construction previously proposed is that shown in US.Pat. 3,174,675, issued Mar. 23, 1965. In such construction, an elementbridging opposite sides of the body portion serves to support inwardlydirected flaps, thereby resisting forces tending to burst the endclosure outwardly of the box. No provision is therein made, however, forthe prevention of inward collapsing of the end closure. When the endclosure in question constitutes the bottom of the box, inward collapseof the end closure is a real danger. When the box is supported by aforce applied to a central portion of its bottom, for example, when thebox is balanced in one hand, collapse is exceedingly likely.

The present box construction avoids inward collapse of the end closureby a novel arrangement whereby the separate parts of the end closureform a mutually supporting interlocking assembly. Such assembly isresistant to both inward and outward collapse. Moreover, the present boxconstruction provides for virtually automatic interlocking of the partsas a partly assembled blank is expanded to its assembled condition.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a six-sidedbox construction having a strong end closure member, resistant to inwardand outward collapse.

Patented Aug. 25, 1970 It is still another object of this invention toprovide a six-sided box construction having an end closure membercomprising mutually supporting fingers and flaps.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a collapsible boxconstruction comprising a tubular sixsided body portion, and having anend closure comprising a bridge panel extending between opposite sidefaces of the body portion, and having inwardly extending interlockedfinger members and stub members forming a mutually supportingcollapse-resistant structure.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a collapsible boxwherein interlocking members are engaged with a minimum of manipulation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a six-sided box and cover member.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for making a box construction inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the box constructionduring assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the 'box construction during assembly.

FIG. 5 is a top sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 1,showing the inside of the assembled end closures in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a portion of the assembled boxconstruction.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the area 8-8 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a detail view of a portion of the box during assembly.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 a six-sided box designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. A cover 12 is shown in place onthe box 10. Referring now to FIG. 6, the box 10 is seen to include abody portion, designated generally by the reference numeral 14, and anend closure, designated generally by the reference numeral 16. The bodyportion 14 is a tubular member, made up of six planar panels, disposedabout a central axis of the body portion 14. Respective adjacent panels18 are separated by fold or score lines 20, with the exception ofrespective panels 18' and 18", located at opposite edges of the blankfrom which the box 10 is formed. A tab 22 secured to panel 18' providesa means whereby the panels 18, 18" may be joined. Thus, the tab 22 maybe glued or stapled to the panel 18".

Extending inwardly from the panel 18 and a panel 18 disposed oppositelythe panel 18 is a bridge panel, designated generally by the referencenumeral 24. The bridge panel 24 is seen in cross section in FIG. 7, andin dotted lines in FIGS. 5 and 6. Although depicted as extending betweenpanels 18 and its oppositely disposed panel 18, the bridge panel 24 canextend between any pair of oppositely disposed panels 18.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the bridge panel 24 consists of a pair ofinterconnected panels 26 and 28, coupled to respective panels .18 and1-8 by fold or score lines 30, 32. In the illustrated embodiment, an endof the panel 28 is provided with a tab 34. A fold or score line 36separates the tab 34 from the remainder of the panel 28. The tab 34provides a means whereby distal ends of the panels 26 and 28 may bejoined. Moreover, the fold or score line 36 facilitates folding of thebody portion 14, as will be explained later.

The distal end of the panel 26 is provided with beveled edge portions 38and 40, the purpose of which will be explained later.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a finger element 42 extends inwardly from apanel 18 adjacent to the panel 18 to which the above-described panel 28is coupled. The finger element 42 is separated from such panel 18 by afold or score line 44. Coupled to the finger element 42, but separatedtherefrom by a fold or score line 46 is a stub member 48. The distal end50 of the finger element 42 includes a locking tab 52, located on anedge of the finger element 42 adjacent the fold or score line 46. Alsoon the edge of the finger element 42, immediately adjacent the lockingtab 52, is a cam-forming edge portion 54.

A flap 56 is secured to a panel of the body portion 14 adjacent thepanel 18 to which the finger element 42 is secured. The flap 56, whenthe box is assembled, overlies a portion of the stub member 48. The flap56 may be secured to the stub member 48 by glue, staples, or otherconvenient and well-known means. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap56 is associated with the panel 18", and separated therefrom by a foldor score line 58.

A stub member 60 is secured, by a fold or score line 62, to the panel ofthe body portion 14 adjacent to the panel 18 to which bridge panel 24 issecured. In plan view, stub member 60 is an irregular four-sidedpolygon. A slit providing a lock 64 is disposed along the edge of thestub member 60 remote from the fold or score line 62. Secured to thestub member 60, and separated therefrom by a fold or score line 66, is afinger element 68. The fold or score line 66 defines a lateral edge ofthe finger element .68. A distal end 70 of the finger element 68includes a locking tab 72, the purpose of which will be explained later.A cam-forming edge portion 74 is provided on the edge of the distalportion 70, adjacent the locking tab 72. A panel 18 adjacent to thepanel 18 to which the stub member 60 is secured bears a flap 76,separated from such paned 18 by a fold or score line 78. The flap 76 isadapted to overlie the finger element 68, with an edge 80 thereofadjacent to the fold score line 66. Glue, staples, or other means may beused to join the flap 76 and finger element 68.

The finger element 42, stub member 48 and flap 56, taken together, maybe referred to for convenience as a filler panel. Thus, these threemembers serve to fill in the gaps between the bridge panel 24 and thepanels .18, 18" to which the finger element 42 and flap 56 are secured.Similarly, the flap 76, finger element 68 and stub member 60 constitutea filler panel, filling the gap between the bridge panel 24 and therespective panels 18 from which the finger element 68 and flap 76project. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the respective filler panels aredesignated generally by the reference numerals 82 and 84.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, with the body portion 14 assembled, thefold or score line 46 bisects the dihedral angle defined by panel 18"and adjacent panel 18. Similarly, the fold or score line 66 bisects thedihedral angle between the respective panels 18 to which the flap 76 andstub member 60 are secured. Thus, upon collapsing of the body portion14, the respective score lines 46, .66 nest within the score linesseparating the panels of the body portion 14. The filler panels 82, 84are configured to permit folding of the body portion 14 to a flatcondition. The fold or score line 36 of the bridge panel 24 permitsupward folding of that panel when the body portion 14 is in a flattenedcondition.

One aspect of the present invention is the manner in which the lockingtabs 52 and 72 and lock 64 cooperate to prevent collapsing of the endclosure 16 inwardly or outwardly with respect to the body portion 14.Refer- 4 ring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, and also to FIG. 7, it will beseen that the bridge panel 24 serves as a support for the distal ends50, 70 of the finger elements 42 and 68, and also for portions of stubmembers 48 and 60, to prevent collapse of the end closure 16 outwardlywith respect to the plane defining an end of the body portion 14.Locking tabs 52 and 72 on the respective finger elements 42 and 68 arehooked together, and when thus interengaged, resist folding of thefiller panels 82 and 84 to positions within the body portion 14. Also,the lock 64 on the filler panel 84 engages an edge of the finger element42. Thus, the filler panels 82 and 84 are securely maintained in agenerally coplanar relation, wherein inward as well as outward collapseis effectively preeluded.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cooperative relationship between thefiller panels 82 and 84 and the bridge panel 24 during final assembly ofthe body portion 14 is shown.

As indicated previously, following securement of the tab 34 to the panel26, and the flaps 56 and 76 to stub member 48 and finger element 68,respectively, the body portion 14 may be folded to a flat configurationwherein score lines 46 and 66 nest within respective score lines 20. Insuch configuration, the bridge panel 24 folds at score lines 30, 32 and36, to assume a position within the body portion 14, in juxtapositionwith panels 18 and 18'.

Appl cation of force as indicated by the arrows F in FIG. 4 causesspreading apart of the panels 18 and 18. Simultaneously, the fillerpanels 82 and 84 unfold inwardly and downwardly from their nestedpositions. Also, the bridge panel 24 unfolds, and begins to approach itsoperative position.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tab 34 on panel 28 is secured to panel 26 at adistal portion thereof. Thus, the distal end of the panel 26, whichincludes the beveled edge portions 38 and'40 defines a continuation orextension of the panel 26 beyond the score line 36.

As the bridge panel 24 and filler panels 82 and 84 unfold as describedabove, the beveled edge 48 slidably contacts the undersurface of stubmember 60, thereby controlling unfolding of the filler panel 84. Also,the beveled edge portion 38 contacts the underside of finger element 42,thereby controlling unfolding of the filler panel 82. For clarity inFIG. 3, the finger element 42 is shown in a raised position, slightlyout of contact with the beveled edge portion 38. In actual unfolding ofthe preferred embodiment, the finger element 42 is in contact with theedge portion 38, as indicated by the arrow A.

As unfolding progresses, the above-described camforming edge portion 54and 74 on the finger elements 42 and 68 come into slidinginterengagement, as is best seen in FIG. 9. Sliding interengagement ofthe edge portions 54 and 74 guides the respective locking tabs 52 and 72into mutual engagement. Locking interengagement of the locking tabs 52and 72 is thus achieved automatically as unfolding is completed. Thelocking tabs 52 and 72 are seen in locking interengagement in FIGS. 5and 6.

After interengagement ofthe locking tabs 52 and 72, the lock 64 may bemanually placed in the position seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein itoverlies an edge of the finger element 42.

The cover 12 shown in assembled relation with the box 10 in FIG. 1 maybe of conventional construction, or may be of the construction shown ingreater detail in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8 the cover 12 is seen to comprise acover panel 86 and lip panels 88, separated from the cover panel 86 byfold or score lines 90. Adjacent lip panels 88 are provided withinterengaging hooks 92 and slit tabs 94. Score lines 96, 98 separate thehooks 9'2 and slit tabs 94 from the lip panels 88 with which they areassociated. Engagement of the hooks 92 with the slit tabs 94 main tainsthe lip panels 88 in perpendicular relation to the cover panel 86,thereby providing a simple and inexpensive cover.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

I claim:

1. A box construction comprising a tubular six-sided body portion havingside panels disposed about a longitudinal axis thereof, and acollapsible end closure for said body portion, said end closurecomprising a bridge panel extending between opposite side panels of saidbody portion and foldable to a position within said body portion, saidend closure further comprising a pair of inwardly extending fillerpanels coupled to oppositely disposed pairs of adjacent side panelsother than the side panels from which said bridge panel extends andfoldable to positions within said body portion, said filler panelsoverlying said bridge panel so that said bridge panel maintains saidfiller panels in generally coplanar relation and prevents folding ofsaid bridge panel to positions outside the plane of the end of said bodyportion, and said filler panels including interengageable lock means tomaintain said filler panels in generally co-planar relation, and preventfolding of said filler panels to positions within said body portion.

2. A box construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fillerpanels comprise elongated finger elements disposed adjacent each otherwhen said filler panels are in generally co-planar relation, said lockmeans comprising interengageable locking tabs for interconnecting saidfinger elements, said locking tabs being disposed at edges of saidfinger elements juxtaposed when said filler panels are in generallyco-planar relation.

3. A box construction in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fingerelements include cam-forming edge portions adjacent said locking tabsfor guiding said locking tabs into interengaged relation.

4. A box construction in accordance with claim 3, and further lock meansfor maintaining said filler panels generally co-planar relation, saidfurther lock means comprising a lock member adapted to overlie an edgeof one of said finger elements opposite the locking tab on said fingerelement when said filler panels are in generally co-planar relation.

5. A box construction in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bridgepanel comprises a pair of panels having distal end portions thereofcoupled together at a fold line, one of said pair of panels beingfoldably coupled to one of said opposite side panels, and the other ofsad pair being foldably coupled to other of said opposite side panels,one of said pair of panels having an end portion thereof extendingbeyond said fold line, said end portion having beveled edges thereonadapted to contact said filler panels when said filler panels are inpositions intermediate said positions within said body portion and theirrespective positions when in generally co-planar relation.

6. A box construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fillerpanels comprise elongated finger elements foldably coupled to oppositeside panels of said body portion, and stub members shorter than saidfinger elements foldably coupled to opposite side panels of said bodyportion, said stub members being foldably coupled to respective fingerelements, the respective finger elements being disposed adjacent to eachother and overlying portions of said stub members of the other of saidfiller panels when said filler panels are in generally co planarrelation, said lock means comprising interengageable locking tabs forinterconnecting said finger elements, said locking tabs being disposedat edges of said finger elements juxtaposed when said filler panels arein generally co-planar relation.

7. A box constnuction in accordance with claim 6 wherein said fingerelements include cam-forming edge portions adjacent said locking tabsfor guiding said locking tabs into interengaged relation.

8. A box construction in accordance with claim 7, and further lock meansfor maintaining said filler panels in generally co-planar relation, saidfurther lock means comprising a lock member on one of said filler panelsadapted to overlie an edge of the finger elements of the other fillerpanel opposite the locking tab on said one finger element when saidfiller panels are in generally co-planar relation.

9. A box construction in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bridgepanel comprises a pair of panels having distal end portions thereofcoupled together at a fold line, one of said pair of panels beingfoldably coupled to one of said opposite side panels, and the other ofsaid pa'ir being foldably coupled to the other opposite side panel, oneof said pair of panels having an end portion thereof extending beyondsaid fold line, said end portion having edges thereon adapted to contactsaid filler panels when said filler panels are in position intermediatesaid positions within said body portion and their respective positionswhen in generally co-planar relation.

10. A blank for a six-sided box, comprising six side panelsinterconnected in edge-to-edge relation and adapted to form a tubularbody portion, and a plurality of end closure forming elements coupled toedges of said side panels by score lines, one of said elements being afirst bridge member-forming element, a second bridge member-formingelement coupled to a side panel spaced from the panel to which saidfirst bridge member-forming element is coupled by two additional sidepanels, filler member-forming elements coupled to said two additionalside panels adapted to form a first filler member, filler member-formingelements coupled to the two remaining side panels adapted to form asecond filler member, each of said filler member-forming elementsincluding a finger element, said finger elements having edge portionsthereon adapted to be juxtaposed when said blank is in a box-formingconfiguration, interengageable locking tabs on said portions forinterengaging said finger elements when said blank is in a box-formingconfiguraton, and interengageable cam-forming portions on said edgeportions adjacent said locking tabs, whereby engagement of said lockingtabs is automatically achieved upon manipulation of said blank to abox-forming configuration.

11. A blank for a six-sided box in accordance with claim 10, wherein oneof said bridge-member forming elements include beveled edge portions atits distal end.

-12. A blank for a six-sided box comprising six side panelsinterconnected in edge-toedge relation and adapted to form a tubularbody portion, and a plurality of end closure forming elements coupled toedges of said side panels by score lines, one of said elements being afirst bridge member-forming element, a second bridge member-formingelement coupled to a side panel spaced by two additional side panelsfrom the side panel to which said first bridge member-forming element iscoupled, a filler member-forming element secured to the side paneladjacent to the side panel to which said first bridge member-formingelement is coupled, said filler member-form ing element comprising afinger element and a stub member-forming element coupled to an edge ofsaid finger element remote from the bridge member-forming element, alocking tab on said finger element adjacent said stub member-formingelements, a cam-forming edge portion on said finger element adjacentsaid locking tab, a flap member-forming element secured to a side paneladjacent to the side panel to which the filler member-forming element iscoupled and adapted to overlie a portion of said stub member-formingelement when the blank is folded to an operative configuration, a secondfiller member-forming element secured to the other side panel adjacentto the side panel to which said first bridge member-forming, element iscoupled, said second filler member-forming element comprising a secondstub member-forming element having an edge thereof coupled to the sidepanel, a lock on a free edge of said stub member-forming element remotefrom the panel, a second finger element coupled to an edge of said stubmember-forming element remote from said first bridge member-formingelement, said second finger element being separated from said secondstub member-forming element by a score line, a locking tab on saidsecond finger element on an edge thereof adjacent said score line, acamforrning edge portion on said second finger elemerTt adjncent saidlocking tab on said finger element, and a second flap-forming elementsecured to a side panel adjacent to the side panel to which the secondfiller memberforming element is secured, said second flap-formingelement overlying a portion of said second finger element when the blankis folded to an operative configuration.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Buttery 229-39 Linson 229-39Pellaton.

Pellaton 22939 XR Ryder 22939 Thompson 229--39 Styler.

Rosenburg.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner

